WEST POINT — Aimee Oertner has no family background in the military, so it was a difficult decision for the former prom queen to decide what to do when Army came calling for her basketball talents.

"Obviously, it was one of the best schools that we were looking at,'' Oertner said. "So I said, 'You know what? I like a challenge.'''

That was fine by coach Dave Magarity, who was getting a Pennsylvania all-state player out of the Lehigh Valley.

"She is a classic example of a kid who was under-recruited,'' he said. "I don't think anybody realized how much talent she had. There are days when I don't think she understands how much talent she has.''

It took some hard recruiting by Magarity and his staff to get Oertner on board, and when she signed they knew they were getting a talented forward and a coach's daughter — David Oertner was Aimee's coach at Northern Lehigh High School, where she posted 1,700 points, 607 blocks and 838 defensive rebounds in her scholastic career.

Oertner was impressive during preseason drills, but Magarity said he was a bit apprehensive about starting two rookies, Kelsey Minato included. The pair quickly put his fears to rest, and Oertner went on to win Patriot League rookie of the week honors with her debut of 18 points and 12 rebounds against Wagner. Minato went on to win the league's player and rookie of the year awards, and Oertner joined her on the all-rookie team.

"She really fit a puzzle that this team was really missing — a center who could help us offensively and defensively,'' Minato said. "I think she is having a terrific season.''

"I just came in here hoping to get some playing time, so this is great,'' Oertner said. "I'm just a role player. I don't need to go out and score 100 points. I can box out. I can play good defense on the big girls ... that's really my job.''

Oertner led Army in rebounding 11 times and she posted at least one block in 29 of 30 games — her 81 rejections ranks sixth on Army's all-time career list. Seven of her 10 double-digit scoring efforts came during non-conference play. She heads into the Women's NIT averaging seven points and seven rebounds.

"I love the kid,'' Magarity said. "She is so resilient. She will make a lot of mistakes and will do things to drive me crazy, but I just love the fact that she just keeps on going. She never quits. She does get frustrated at times and gets down on herself ... she's her own worst enemy.''

Oertner said she will spend the offseason working on her offense and developing some post moves. "I want to be the best that I can be,'' she said. Magarity is confident his recruiting will bring in some true low-post players and that could free Oertner to face-up her defenders, perhaps bringing her out to the high post and allowing her to play more like a "point forward.''

"Aimee is kind of like a guard,'' Minato said. "She can take you off the dribble and she can pull up.''

Minato said she's excited about playing the next three seasons with Oertner, and Magarity predicts Oertner "will have a really good career here.''

Oertner, who enjoys running, painting, baking and playing the piano, recognizes West Point is "not a normal school,'' and she believes the challenges only brings her teammates closer together.

"Everything has been worth it so far,'' she said. "I wouldn't go back on my decision at all.''